Replay: Chat with Free Press columnist Drew Sharp

Drew talked about Detroit sports on Nov. 13, 2012

I'm ready to go. I initially thought I should just show up for the fourth quarter of the chat...like your Lions. My scalpel is ready. Let's start.

by Drew Sharp11/13/2012 3:59:42 PM

Don't you think it's time for the Lions to get a new OC? Linehan knows 1 running play...off tackle, and he can't understand why the running game sucks. I called nearly every play against Minnesota and he followed it with precision. Need some delays, delayed counters, reverses, etc.

by Chuck White11/13/2012 4:01:03 PM

Doesn't the Lions inability to start fast assure us there still is no real leadership on this team?

by SUNSTORM11/13/2012 4:01:06 PM

The Lions' offensive problems start with their inability to realize that they're a more uptempo type of team. They must aggressively push the ball down -- almost as though they're a run-and-shoot type of team. That won't win you playoff games. You need more balance for that and they're trying to force feed that balance when they simply aren't equipped for that right now.

by Drew Sharp11/13/2012 4:03:51 PM

What changes from the coaching staff can we expect from the Lions since they are trending to a non-playoff year?

by George11/13/2012 4:04:01 PM

The coaching staff is safe for another year. 2013 becomes the make or break year for not just the entire coaching staff, but GM Martin Mayhew and team president Tom Lewand. I knew they would get humbled this season -- been writing and saying that since spring. But they deserve the opportunity to be judged on their response.

by Drew Sharp11/13/2012 4:05:55 PM

Is Ndamukong Suh overrated or just not the same player after shoulder surgery? @Drew of course!

by Eric11/13/2012 4:06:00 PM

Eric -- Suh is becoming overrated. I specifically asked Schwartz at Monday's presser what he is seeing that the outside isn't that makes him think Suh played well against the Vikes considering the lack of tangible evidence. He said that Suh did a better job adjusting to the trap blocking scheme than before. And how he's getting double-teamed more. But all the supposedly greats get double-teamed and still make big, impact plays. Suh isn't. Opposing teams are taking him out of games.

by Drew Sharp11/13/2012 4:08:46 PM

Drew, can't help but think the slow starts are a result of very poor preparatuion for the week's opponents. That is why the offense takes three quarters of the game to decipher what the defense is doing. Blame for this can only lie with the head coach. Any thoughts?

by Mike Jones11/13/2012 4:09:20 PM

Mike -- The offense struggles early because they take what the defense gives them -- two safeties deep to take away any deep plays to CJ. Schwartz wants a more balanced offense and that means forcing Stafford to check into more running plays or short dump off passes to the running backs. Teams know that if you force the Lions to drive down the field for 80 yards, they'll inevitably do something stupid like a commit a holding penalty.

by Drew Sharp11/13/2012 4:11:47 PM

Drew if we are able to sign Tori hunter andcome Spring with our young outfielders 21 to 28years old including Boesch start knocking the cover off the ball what's our outfield look like going into the season

by Earl-D11/13/2012 4:11:59 PM

Drew, If Dom can.t sign Hunter do you think that he would trade either Caxtellanos or Garcia or both to D-Backs for Upton, I don't see giving up the future for anyone atthis time

by Earl-D11/13/2012 4:12:10 PM

Tiger prospect Rondon may be the team's closer of the future (or valuable trade chip) but considering the team's big investment and win now mentality, I can't visualize them solely relying on an untested rookie closer. What do you think will happen, and if they're targeting a proven closer, who do you think the Tigers will pursue?

by Rocco11/13/2012 4:12:13 PM

Let's switch gears and talk a little Tigers -- Hunter would be a mistake. Make a big trade for J. Upton. If that costs you Castellanos or Garcia along with a good pitching prospect, Rick Porcello and one of their middle infield prospects...DO IT!!!! People have to stop falling so deeply in love with your prospects that you don't realize that their greatest value might be who they can bring in return in a trade. As for Rondon, the Tigers love the fact that he can throw as intimidating hard as Zumaya but is a more natural, less violent, delivery.

by Drew Sharp11/13/2012 4:15:41 PM

I don't see Rick Porcello having a future in Detroit. If we were indeed to sign Tori Hunter as a free agent, what could we expect to receive for Porcello? I am assuming he would still have value to a pitching starved team. Do we look for a solid catcher with a decent bat to platoon with Avila???? Or a 4th outfield? Or to restock the farm system?

by Barry11/13/2012 4:16:20 PM

Barry -- The Tigers have offered little clues to what they're off-season approach might be. They've got a lot of guys set for big, big raises in arbitration and they might want to move them now while they still have a couple years left under team control. Porcello is 23 years old and could be a No. 2 starter on a team with a good infield defense behind him. He'll never reach his full potential with the Tigers.

by Drew Sharp11/13/2012 4:18:28 PM

Time now for a little Pistons...HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

by Drew Sharp11/13/2012 4:19:09 PM

Drew - can we say that Drummond will be a player and won't end up like Darko - - - give me something good about the Pistons.

by KCLion11/13/2012 4:19:13 PM

You want something good about the Pistons? They're at eight games closer to getting one of the top three picks in next June's draft?

by Drew Sharp11/13/2012 4:20:01 PM

Should the Pistons start Stuckey at PG and bench Knight?

by Eric11/13/2012 4:20:14 PM

The Pistons should trade Stuckey and Tayshaun for a case of Cheetos and just yet the youngsters play for the duration of the season. Knight continues to struggle at the point, but we already know everything we need to about Stuckey.

by Drew Sharp11/13/2012 4:21:48 PM

where is austin daye

by macinlan11/13/2012 4:21:54 PM

He and Charlie V have become seat cushion test pilots. But L. Frank is doing the right thing with them. We know what they are. Let Singler and Kim English learn because they still have an upside.

by Drew Sharp11/13/2012 4:23:27 PM

Drew - how long will it take before Gores fire Joe Dumars and cleans house?

by Mike11/13/2012 4:24:43 PM

If the Pistons finnish in the lottery, do you think JoeD will be fired?

by Eric11/13/2012 4:24:46 PM

Dumars is safe because you can't blame him for the inability to do anything of substance the previous two and a half years when the sale of the team remained in limbo. They've drafted well the last three years. They'll have plenty of cap room next summer plus they should get a top-3 pick. He'll be on the clock starting next season.

by Drew Sharp11/13/2012 4:26:22 PM

Will the Lions get another win before the Pistons get their first

by INJ11/13/2012 4:26:26 PM

The Wings might get a win before the Lions and Pistons win.

by Drew Sharp11/13/2012 4:26:54 PM

Drew, when having to choose between a crazy Michigan win and Detroit Lions loss, you chose to write your article about the Lions loss. How does it feel to make a living by making your readers mad and antagonizing them?

by Steve11/13/2012 4:27:21 PM

Steve -- I was off Saturday. I am entitled to the occasional football-free day off. I was in Minnesota to cover the Lions game.

by Drew Sharp11/13/2012 4:28:12 PM

Do you think that DROB is out for the season?

by John R11/13/2012 4:28:15 PM

John - I was told by one of my M contacts (who actually gets to watch all of practice) prior to the Minnesota game that DR might not play again until Ohio State because they suspected nerve damage. He still can't grip the ball. I know they want him to play in the home finale Saturday but it would be best if they saved him for the Buckeyes because without him they have absolutely no chance against Uncle Urban the following week.

by Drew Sharp11/13/2012 4:31:12 PM

Drew - Did Dumars not resign Prince and Stuckey

by Mike11/13/2012 4:31:20 PM

Mike -- He signed them to reasonable contracts with the hope -- again the hope -- that he could move them in a deal if necessary.

by Drew Sharp11/13/2012 4:32:12 PM

Michigans mens b-ball team looks really good how far do you think they will go this year?

by macinlan11/13/2012 4:32:40 PM

Who have they played? It's pointless getting worked up about college hoops in November. Wake me up come February when post-season positioning starts. Before anyone really takes M basketball seriously, they must prove that they can reach a Sweet 16.

by Drew Sharp11/13/2012 4:34:20 PM

Drew - the OSU Suckeyes are the most overrated team in the country other than ND of course... M has a decent chance if the D can make Urban pass

by Santa Cruz Rich11/13/2012 4:34:32 PM

Rich -- If they're as overrated as you say, then how pathetic must Michigan be considering they couldn't beat said overrated ND?

by Drew Sharp11/13/2012 4:35:35 PM

Drew how good do you think Stafford can be all I here from the media is all the gaudy stats that he puts up however most of them are in garbage time.

by Tim11/13/2012 4:36:20 PM

Tim -- I keep hearing from those who should know that Stafford didn't really push himself in the off-season to improvement every aspect of his technique. I believe there were a lot of guys in that organization who thought they proved something definitive last year and too many fans and media bought into that nonsense. The NFL demands constant work at improvement. The Lions didn't figure that out until it was too late.

by Drew Sharp11/13/2012 4:38:19 PM

Will Hoke and his O-coordinator Gorgeous (ummm, I mean Borges) finally do the right thing and find a way to incorporate Denard into the offense as a "slash" player rather than at QB? Just think how good this team could have been with Devin at QB and Denard playing halfback / slot receiver!!

by Santa Cruz Rich11/13/2012 4:39:04 PM

Rich -- It's TOO LATE for that. I maintained a year ago that Hoke should've made Gardner his starting QB and make DRob a Percy Harvin hybrid multiple threat. The problem now is that unless Gardner gets a medical redshirt, Hoke will only have him for one season next year. I thought they blew it because they buckled under the public pressure because Robinson was the most popular player. He could've been an even more explosive offensive threat if they used him like Harvin. Too late now.

by Drew Sharp11/13/2012 4:42:59 PM

Should the Tigers sign Melky Cabrera, what do think about him?

by Eric11/13/2012 4:43:12 PM

Stay away from him. For all we know, he might have cheated the previous two years before he finally got caught. At some point, you must stand up for what's right and what's wrong.